Band Council hosts Circle of Courage Conference

Six Nations – Over a hundred people attended the Circle of Courage Conference, which was hosted by Six Nations Band Council and featured lectures by Lakota man, Dr. Martin Brokenleg. Brokenleg is the co-founder of the Circle of Courage and holds a doctorate in psychology and is also a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School. He is an Emeritus Professor and was most recently Director of Native Ministries and Professor of Native American Theology and Ministries at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brokenleg has consulted and led training programs throughout North America, New Zealand and South Africa. He is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota and practices the culture of his Lakota people.

The Conference, which was attended mostly by various departments of Band Council, was attended by about 100-150. Topics included: The Circle of Courage, Culture and Helping, the effects of family experience on resiliency, creating a positive youth culture, restoring spiritual balance among native people and the spiritual needs of youth.

Brokenleg explained that in order to move past all the traumas and addictions that Native people face today, “We must heal historical issues. For loss of traditional ways, we must fill those gaps with wholeness and wellness,” explained Brokenleg. “The key is to be as well and whole as we can be.” Brokenleg believes that we gain significant strength in practicing our traditions. “If you follow the protocols of your people, you follow the protocols of your heart.”

The Two Row Times spoke with one individual who attended the Conference both days and is in the health care profession. When asked what he gained the most from the Conference or thought to be most insightful, he stated, “One aspect of the circle of courage is generosity. An example Brokenleg gave was when someone would need help back home where he came from. The Lakota family would do everything they could to help that family out even maxing out their visas to help. I took that and applied it to myself when I helped out my son for his wedding last year: To pay for a good honeymoon or to pay first and last months rent to their house if they were just getting started as a family in life. To truly give from the heart. He also outlined four essential elements every child needs in order to flourish and thrive: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.”

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